Large Dog Breeds: The Rottweiler
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The Rottweiler was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1935 and is classified in the working dog group. This breed has been renowned historically for its ability to guard, protect and herd. Unfortunately, the Rottweiler dog breed in recent years has developed the reputation of being aggressive and prone to violence. A large, strong dog, the Rottweiler can certainly be a formidable opponent. Its ancestry may help explain how it developed its good and bad reputation.
The exact history of the Rottweiler is unknown, but the breed is thought to have developed in ancient Rome around 74 A.D. These mastiff-type dogs helped Roman armies conquer much of Europe. They were used by the military to herd cattle and to protect cattle and men. The breed fell out of favor in the 1800s due to no longer being needed to herd due to advances in technology and farming. Rottweilers began to be used by the military in World War I and II as police and guard dogs. Unfortunately, many also were trained to be hostile and aggressive to dogs and people. The present day Rottweiler dog is named for Rottweil, Germany where the breed again gained support and favor.
The Rottweiler was once the most popular family dog in America. Currently, they are in the top five but reports of bad behavior have made many potential owners wary of the breed. Tales of aggressive and even violent behavior are due in large part to bad owners, not bad dogs. Rottweilers have inherent personality traits that can manifest in negative behavior if they do not receive proper care and training from an early age.
Surprisingly, the American Kennel Club, which judges purebred dogs on not just physical traits but also behavioral characteristics, defines the breed standard for Rottweilers as calm, confident, and courageous. Rottweilers are actually known more for their laid-back nature than aggression. Problems in behavior may stem from Rottweiler dogs’ natural tendency to protect their owners and families.
Besides having specific breed standard personality traits such as self-assuredness, loyalty, courageousness, strong work ethic and trainability, the Rottweiler dog has unique physical traits. Rottweilers must have a short black coat with distinctive brown markings on specific areas of the face, muzzle, paws and legs. Rottweilers are muscular with broad chests and heads, they have a scissor bite, or lower incisors that touch the inside of the upper incisors and they have docked tails to create a more streamlined appearance.
There is no guarantee that a mistreated Rottweiler dog won’t become aggressive in the future. Even if the dog has been rescued and re-socialized by a rescue center, the potential for violence will always be there. It is normally recommended that potential dog owners check into adopting or fostering rescued purebreds from shelters rather than buying purebred puppies. However, this is not a good option with the Rottweiler dog because of its size and potential for aggressive behavior if it feels threatened.
When buying a purebred Rottweiler, it is a good idea for the buyer to visit the kennel and see how puppies are raised. If Rottweilers receive love and training from an early age they will have a good foundation for the buyer to build upon. Researching breeders to make sure they are ethical is also important.
Breeders should also be willing to provide advice, Rottweiler information, and training tips and will have buyer sign a contract to give the dog back to the breeder if the buyer cannot keep the dog
